Contents.

CONTENTS .

LEADERS 23 Roval Masonic Institution for Girls 24 Roval Masonic Institution for Boys 24 Our Old Folks in East Lancashire 24 Provincial Grand Lodge of VVest Yorkshire 24

C ORRESPONDENCEA Visit to the Hoys' School 26 The Grand Lodge' l . enevolent Fund 2 fi Tlie Ollice of Chaplain 27 Tlie Proposed Wolseley Lodge 27 Is he Legally nnd Regularly Elected . ... 27 The Proposed Masonic Exhibition 27

Reviews 27 Masonic Notes and Queries 27 Grand Masonic Hall in Liverpool 2 S J ottings from the Antipodes 2 . REPORTS OF MASONIC

MEETINGSCraft Masonry 29 Instruction 34 Royal Arch 34 Red Cross of Constantine 3 , ^ Obituary 35 The Theatres 3 .. Masonic and General Tidings 30 Lodge Meetings for Next Week ... Page 3 Cover

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THE near approach of the annual Festival of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution suggests some most serious considerations for all who have regard to the interests of Masonic charity , and sympathize truly with the progress and prosperity of that most useful and well-managed Charity . It is not too much to say that great as are the benefits of our noble Masonic Educational Institutions , the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution is , as it were , the

crown and complement of all our charitable efforts , in that it deals with those for whom we often feel the living interest of personal association , and with whom are bound up the memories and attachments of our own Masonic career . The orphan children of our brethren aro dear to us and near to us , in that noble-hearted sympathy which is developed by true Freemasonry j but the

old brethren with whom we have worked in lodge , and their widows , appeal to us by many prevailing and clinging " souvenirs " of forcible and active Freemasonry . It may well be , that some whom we relieve to-day by our admirable system of annuities were once as prosperous , more so even , than ourselves ; and as we also have known them and their wives in the heyday of

worldly energy , welfare , and comfort , when in days of yore we were al 1 linked together by the heartiest of lodge friendships , we must feel deeply for them now in the " sere and yellow leaf , " perhaps of a changed worldly condition , and be truly concerned for them , and their widows . So great are the merits and benefits of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution that the

claims upon its funds and resources constitute a great strain , and form the subject of grave anxiety for all who manage its affairs , or direct its finances . In May next it has for the two branches of the Institution 130 candidates and thirteen vacancies . Just let us pause a moment and realize this one fact . 130 candidates and thirteen vacancies . It is often said "hope

deferred maketh the heart sick , " but . here is an hopeless outlook , a margin of disappointment and unsuccessfulness perfectly appalling ! Can nothing be done to remedy such a state of things 1 Can no effort be made to enable the institution to extend its invaluable benefits to a larger number of successful candidates ? LET US TRY ! It is idle to talk as some affect to do , when

" strains and squeezes of this kind arise , " Oh ! thc more you do , the more you will have to do ; " or " It is impossible to attempt to satisfy all claimants . " The fact is before us , let us realize it ; the difficulty is before us , let us grapple with it . It will be a very pleasant Masonic memory for 1883 if by the large hearted zeal of Freemasons we leave a mark which none

can misread , in that untiring energy and true heartedness which lead us to seek without hesitation or grudging , to relieve misfortune , to cheer old age , and to mitigate the weakness and trials of declining years . 1 . Let every brother then who feels as we do send in his name as a Steward . The sooner the better . " Bis dat qui dat cito . "

2 . Let us seek to . have a collection in every lodge or chapter to assist this excellent Institution , and try to reduce this dreadful list of disappointed candidates . 3 . A subscription of five shillings from every member , ( even less , ) will enable the W . M . to send up a few pounds to Bro . Terry , and on the principle that " every mickle makes a muckle , " the amount

may present a remarkable result in the " tottle . " 4 . A word here is needful to some of our new lodges . Excellent as they are at " work , " and not undistinguished at " refreshment ; " we wish we could think that they are doing what they might do for Masonic Charity . The Secretaries of all the Charities will confirm us when we repeat to-day , that it is the old lodges ,

not the new lodges , which constitute the stay of our Institutions and the "backbone" of Masonic Charity . We trust then that the new lodges will take it kindly when we remind them , that many have never yet voted one penny to Masonic Charity , and we feel quite sure that no lodge will long prosper which

ignores this needful duty of all true Freemasons . It is said that the first expenses of new lodges are many , be it so ; but we have yet to learn that they have made any effort to reduce any one social expense to be able to offer a contribution to Masonic Charity . No doubt they ought to

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discharge their preliminary and constituting expenses , but the duty of Chanty they ought not to have left undone . In London , happily , we can point to comparatively new lodges , like the Creaton , the Earl of Carnarvon , the Aldersgate and others , which have most nobly done their duty in this

respect , and practically set an example to all other of their contemporaries . We trust then , sincerely , that we shall all put our shoulder to the wheel , and endeavour to make the festival of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution for 1 SS 3 a signal and triumphant success .

* * IT seems that some remarks were very hastily made at the last meeting of the Boys' School Committee , according to the Evening News , and as reported last week in the Freemason , in respect of the action of the Freemason in admitting a letter of complaint ,

signed "S . X ., " anent the Boys' School . Certainly a great part of the use of the Freemason would disappear if a complaint made by a well known brother , whose name is given , was refused insertion through private considerations of any kind whatever ! We subjoin the pertinent remarks of our contemporary on the subject .

" With reference to this subject the facts of the case are these . A letter appeared in the Freemason last Saturday to the effect that two visitors to the Boys' School were not courteously treated by the person who conducted them over the building . As this is contrary to the rules and practice of the Institution , it is denied , but at the same time fault is found with the editor

for admitting the letter , and some opinions are expressed that as the letter is anonymous it should be treated with contempt . It is also said that if any one has a complaint to make he should make it in writing , with his name attached , to the Committee , and it would be properly inquired into . The latter would , perhaps , be the more dignified course , because it would be

more clearly the evidence of bona fides . Still , it is of no use blaming the editor . There is no reason why the Masonic press should be muzzled in respect to complaints of any blots on the Masonic system ; no system can ever expect to be perfect when no one is allowed to see anything but a fair

outside . And then as to treating a letter with contempt simply because it is anonymous , it is to be hoped that there is far more reason in Freemasons than to listen seriously to such a proposition . " We may add that the greater part of our correspondence columns must be dispensed with , if anonymous letters and complaints are objected to .

* * WE may add , while we are on this subject , that we are rather surprised at the tone assumed by some of the speakers at the last Committee meeting of the Boys' School as regards the letter itself . Several paragraphs which might seem to reflect on the general School management had been carefully

expunged , and we were aware of the fact that an official letter had been sent to the SECRETARY , complaining of a " compelledly hurried " visit , which had been forwarded to the resident authorities at the School . The only object of the Freemason was to afford room for legitimate complaints , and to

show fair play to all . Since we wrote the above , an explanatory letter from the writer of the communication signed "S . X . " has come to hand , ' which we print elsewhere , and to which we call attention , on every ground and for every reason of justice and consideration to all .

* * ON Saturday last a most interesting proceeding took place on Woolwich Common , namely , the unveiling by H . R . H . the GRAND MASTER of a remarkable statue , by the Count GLEICHEN , to the memory of the late lamented Prince IMI'F . RIAL , subscribed for by 25 , 000 officers and men of the English

Army . His ROYAL HIGHNESS ' speech , as ever , was replete with good sense and geniality and touching effect , * and perhaps no more remarkable event in the history of nations has taken place , than the military education of a descendant of NAPOLEON I . at Woolwich Academy , and his death in

the English uniform serving the QUEEN . It is a fitting sequel to that "brave boy ' s" regretted fall , under such sad and solemn circumstances , " with his face to the foe , " to read that the English Army , ever glad to admire heroism in others , thus commemorate him whom they loved in life , and mourn in death .

* * WE beg to direct the attention of our readers to a communication from Jamaica elsewhere . Though we are compelled " perforce " to refuse to

make the Freemason a medium for charitable appeals as a rule , this seems to us so abnormal a one that we give it a place in our columns . If any of our brethren connected with the West Indies like to move in the matter , we shall be happy to help them in any way they desire .